Global solar flight to start, end in Abu Dhabi

Image
AP Dubai
Last Updated : Sep 25 2014 | 5:25 PM IST
A government-backed renewable energy company in the United Arab Emirates says a Swiss-made solar-powered aircraft will aim to begin and end its first round-the-world solar flight from the federation's oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi.
Clean-energy company Masdar today said that the Solar Impulse 2 plane will attempt its historic journey in March from the OPEC member country. Project founders Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg hope to complete the journey over four or five months, including stopovers.
The Solar Impulse 2 is powered by some 17,200 solar cells arrayed on wings that span 236 feet. It is a larger version of a single-seat prototype that first flew five years ago. The founders say the plane in theory can stay airborne indefinitely.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 25 2014 | 5:25 PM IST

Next Story